About the Client
Based in Irvine, CA, ADC Technologies is an innovative provider of supply chain execution solutions to the mid-market using automated data collection technologies.

Business Situation
Technology is an important part of ADC Technologies operation and has been integrated into nearly every aspect of the business. The client began experiencing problems with connectivity and network downtime that its previous service provider could not solve. In addition, the technology needs of the company had increased substantially over the past few years, increasing the need for IT capacity and data storage. ADC Technologies sought a solution that would address its need for high availability and increased bandwidth.

ADC Technologies had IT infrastructure that was based on Microsoft technology, so the client asked Microsoft to recommend a cloud based solution that was based on Microsoft Azure technology. Microsoft Azure is a group of cloud services that help companies work faster, accomplish more, and save money.

To accomplish this task, Microsoft engaged the services of Henson Group, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with extensive experience in solving the IT challenges of organizations like ADC Technologies.

Solution
ADC Technologies worked closely with The Henson Group to determine the best solution to these problems. After careful review, a decision was made to move the ADC Technologies infrastructure to Azure. This process would include:

Creating several virtual networks

Creating serval PaaS Azure SQL Databases

Creating multiple Web Servers in multiple Geos

Migrating a dozen Web Apps from on premise to Azure

Migrating databases from on premise SQL to Azure SQL

Objectives
The goals of this project were to provide ADC Technologies with an IT infrastructure that was would save money while increasing security and stability. To accomplish these aims, The Henson Group recommended the client move to an Azure solution.

Results & Benefits
The Henson Group designed, implemented, and migrated ADC Technologies current software to Microsoft’s Azure “cloud” services environment saving ADC $30,000 per year in TCO. The migration of the client’s software included moving the applications from the client’s old server to multiple Azure VMs, installation of the existing software, software upgrades, troubleshooting, general configuration, and support.

The Henson Group preserved the client’s internal domain and VPN connectivity, but provided secure (https) access to all applications.

Each Azure VM was sized to meet the specific application running on it. This was done with only minimal changes to the applications.

The project was completed with two months.

Benefits
Today, ADC Technologies is experiencing much better infrastructure performance with the Azure cloud solution. The client does not have to support or maintain hardware anymore as the modern hardware is maintained by Microsoft and kept up to date. The solution allows the VMs to grow as the business grows.

Thanks to the migration into Azure a much higher level of securing the servers and data of the company was achieved. Meanwhile, ADC Technologies now has its IT infrastructure accessible at 99.9 % without any investments into hardware.

In terms of cost efficiencies, the client shed its cumbersome managed services contract in favor of Azure’s pay-as-you-go services that it can now more efficiently and quickly scale up or down to match the growth demand for its business. Per-minute billing and a commitment to match competitor prices for popular infrastructure services like computers, storage and bandwidth mean ADC Technologies will consistently achieves cost-effective expense management of its infrastructure.

Server administration for the client was significantly simplified and became more effective. Only servers, which are necessary, are used, and that only in the time when it is necessary. Developers can install servers according to their need and requirements of their work.

Significant benefit of Microsoft Azure lies in the possibility of scaling operation. The solution enables flexible increase in IT server capacities. The original hardware limitations thus no longer exist. Improvements include:

Improved agility

Increased elasticity

Improved quality

Redundancy and resiliency

Risk reduction

Greater efficiency

$30,000/year cost savings

Products

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure SQL Database

Windows Server 2012 R2

Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit

Microsoft System Center 2012 R2

Windows Azure Pack for System Center

To request a free consultation to learn how your organization can realize similar benefits and gains with Microsoft Azure deployment services provided by preferred Microsoft Gold Partner The Henson Group, please email Info@HensonGroup.com or call +1-800-980-1130.